3 Free Agents the Rockets Need to Avoid This Offseason
By Nick Porr
The Houston Rockets have put themselves in a tough financial situation. They're committed to paying both James Harden and Russell Westbrook over $40 million per year through the 2021-2022 season, giving them little money to work with.
Daryl Morey and the Rockets front office are some of the most savvy basketball minds in the NBA, though, and will surely be on the hunt for bargain players to add in free agency. These three players may look attractive, but the Rockets should not go after them.
3. Kent Bazemore, UFA
Kent Bazemore built a reputation for being the kind of three-and-D player the Rockets love after shooting 39.4% from 3-point land on the Atlanta Hawks in 2017-2018. Since then, Bazemore has been below the league average in 3-point percentage, with a mediocre 35% career rate. Bazemore is by no means a bad player, but his shooting is not what teams have been tricked into thinking it is. The Rockets should avoid Bazemore this offseason.
2. Dragan Bender, UFA
Dragan Bender went No. 4 overall in the 2016 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns and was heralded as the next European unicorn. The 7-0 talent was supposed to be a big with range and mobility, and instead he's shot 32.3% from three across his career. Some Rockets fans may want the team to take a chance on the unrestricted free agent, but after four NBA seasons, it's clear he isn't the player many hoped he'd become.
1. Josh Jackson, UFA
Labeled as a do-it-all defensive wing by scouts when he was taken No.4 overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2017 NBA Draft, Jackson has failed to live up to expectations. He spent most of last season on the Memphis Hustle, G-League affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies. Although the Grizzlies were five net points better with Jackson on the court during his 18 games on the team, that small sample size and poor track record leaves a too many questions surrounding Jackson.